Milpitas High School teachers and staff gather for appreciation lunch

On Tuesday, May 22, the Milpitas High School (MHS) Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) hosted their annual appreciation lunch for teachers and staff.

“I want to thank our Milpitas High School PTSA for hosting this. We often underestimate what our teachers and staff do at this school. And day in and day out, I believe that all of our staff are leaders in their own ways,” said Principal Francis Rojas. “This is the smallest token of our appreciation because every day they make a difference in the lives of our students and families.”

Jessie Keung, who has served as PTSA president for the past two years, is heartened by the amount of support coming in from other parents to make events like this possible. Many parents donated food or cash, and six parents volunteered to help with set-up and clean-up. Currently, Milpitas High’s PTSA boasts roughly 200 members.

MHS PTSA President Jessie Keung and PTSA member Sue Zhou

“This is an opportunity for us to show appreciation for teachers and staff, and for them to have a nice, warm lunch,” said Keung, whose daughter is a junior.

And though teachers and staff found themselves on the receiving end of the appreciation, many of them mentioned that MHS students were also deserving of acknowledgement.

Lisa Topping, known as Madame Topping, has been a French teacher at MHS since 1992. Every other summer, she brings students to countries like France and Spain, to grant them a deep experience of culture and adventure.

“I open up these trips to the whole school. And the students, all of them, are the nicest. They’re considerate and helpful. I’m just always so impressed with them, and so is everyone else. The tour guides always say how awesome they are.”

Next summer, Madame Topping will be hosting a two-week trip to seven different countries. Fifty people are signed up to attend; seven of the attendees will be adults.

Jenifer Lind, who has been a substitute teacher at MHS for 28 years and a resident of Milpitas for over 40 years, is in awe of many of the students that she has been fortunate enough to cross paths with. “Have you looked at the kids? They’re going wonderful places,” said Lind. “They’re the most lovely young people; they give me hope for the future. They’re doing great things.”

Rhoda Shapiro works as a journalist and media consultant in the Bay Area. She has written for both the Tri-City Voice and the Mercury News, and is the founder of Chi Media Company, which works with nonprofit organizations to elevate their marketing and communication platforms. Rhoda is also an author; her first book will be published by Llewellyn Worldwide in mid-2019. Her YouTube channel, which features practices in yoga, meditation, and women’s empowerment, has amassed thousands of subscribers. Rhoda is The Milpitas Beat’s founder.